Cybersecurity is Our Shared Responsibility
Everyone can make a difference during National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Whether you have a minute, an hour or a day – or all month long – check out ways you can participate and support NCSAM on social media, at home, at work or school and in the community.
On Social Media
- Follow the National Cyber Security Alliance on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn to receive the latest online safety news and resources.
- Replace your profile picture or Facebook cover photo with the NCSAM logo for October. Download social media icons here.
- Post online safety tips and reminders about National Cyber Security Awareness Month on your social networks. Use the hashtag #CyberAware on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and other social media sites.
- Download and share our sample social media posts leading up to and throughout the month on social media – download and share them all or customize them to your needs and interests!
- Join our Twitter chats! @STOPTHNKCONNECT hosts weekly #ChatSTC Twitter chats during NCSAM, corresponding to the month’s themes. Check the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ website for more information about these and other upcoming Twitter chats.
- Blog about cybersecurity in October. Choose a topic that appeals to you or highlight one of the NCSAM themes.
At Home
- Become a NCSAM Champion – sign up, take action and make a difference in online safety and security. It’s free and simple to register.
- Sign up for NCSA’s newsletter to receive regular online safety news and resources.
- Print a STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tip sheet and display it in areas where family members spend time online.
- Hold a family “tech talk.” Learn and discuss suggestions from STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ on how each family member can protect their devices and information.
- Send an email to friends and family informing them that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and encourage them to visit staysafeonline.org for tips and resources.
- Follow STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™’s Tips and Advice all month long – and all year round.
At Work and School
- Become a NCSAM Champion, and show your organization or school’s official involvement in the month. It’s free and simple to sign up.
- Display a NCSAM poster in your workplace or school. Download the poster here.
- Post a NCSAM banner on your company or school’s external or internal website. Download NCSAM web banners here. You can link to the NCSAM “About” page to provide more info.
- Send an email to colleagues, employees, customers and/or your school community about NCSAM. Highlight one or more of the themes and/or our shared responsibility to secure the internet. You can use information from the NCSAM “About” page in the email.
- Hold a brown bag lunch for employees to discuss your company’s IT security and acceptable use policies. Find talking points for employees here.
- Incorporate STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips into employee or student handbooks and newsletters.
- Host an employee training on cybersecurity. Check out ESET’s free cybersecurity awareness training as a great resource.
- Host a poster/video contest for students in which participants create informative online safety resources. Display the winning entries at school or share them with your community.
- Lock down your login: strengthen your company’s email and online accounts by adding extra layers of security beyond a username and password.
- Need additional resources to help you plan your security awareness efforts this NCSAM? Check out EDUCAUSE’s NCSAM Resource Kit and SANS Securing the Human’s NCSAM Planning Toolkit.
In the Community
- Display a NCSAM poster in your community center or religious institution. Download the poster here.
- Include information about NCSAM in your community newsletter. Highlight one or more of the themes and/or our shared responsibility to secure the internet. You can use information from the NCSAM “About” page in the email.
- Download, print and distribute STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tip sheets and other resources at your local community center.
- If your community center has shared computers or wireless networks, download and share this tip sheet on how to best protect personal information.
- Talk to community members about best security practices for email, social media and/or online transactions. Highlight STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips and advice.
- Host a cybersecurity event for community members to discuss smart computer practices and online security measures, leveraging resources provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance.